ABSTRACT
KEYWORDS. Spirituality in ageing, meaning in life, vulnerability, transcendence, isolation, hope, wisdom, spiritual tasks of ageing
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered why it is that some older people, while experiencing many disabilities and losses seem to have a wonderful sense of peace and joy in their lives, while others seem to exhibit a sense of despair? Anyone who has spent much time with older people will be able to point to examples of such people. Peace and joy versus despair. Real peace and joy flow from the depths of the individual human being, and are acknowledged as characteristics ofthe spiritual dimension. Further, it can be argued, peace and joy are signs of spiritual well being.l
So what is spirituality and how is it displayed in older adults? How can the spiritual dimension be mapped out to gain a greater understanding of what happens spiritually to people as they age? I want to suggest that it is helpful to look at spirituality in a developmental framework and that there are spiritual tasks of ageing. Further, I want to suggest that by looking at ageing from this viewpoint we may, first, more consciously develop our own spiritual dimension, and second, we may be more able to assist older people who may struggle to come to a sense of spiritual integrity in later life.
